The fact that Gazprom is now stopping deliveries of gas to Ørsted will not "immediately" have any impact on the security of gas supply in Denmark "in isolation".
This is according to Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Dan Jørgensen (S).
- But it is clear that we are looking into an uncertain future, where the fact that Putin (Russian President, ed.) has now continuously closed off gas to more and more countries means that we must be prepared for a situation where we may run into problems with security of supply. And we are of course preparing for that, he says.
Dan Jørgensen describes that an emergency situation would be if Russia shuts off gas supplies to the EU in general, or if the EU decides in a sanctions package not to receive gas from Russia.
- Both options are realistic scenarios, and something that we are preparing for.
Turning off the tap on Wednesday morning
Therefore, an emergency plan is ready in Denmark if there is a shortage of gas.
- It is the case that Danish households that have gas as a heating source are so-called protected customers according to the legislation. This means that they will be entitled to the gas first, says Dan Jørgensen.
Companies that will continue to be forced to use gas will be prioritized according to their critical importance to society.
Ørsted announced in a press release on Tuesday afternoon that Gazprom, the largest Russian gas company, has announced that gas deliveries will stop from Wednesday.
Gazprom has decided to turn off the taps because Ørsted has refused to comply with the Russian demand to pay in rubles.
Not obligated
According to Ørsted, the company has never been obligated to comply with such demands.
The decision not to pay in rubles is supported by Dan Jørgensen.
- We of course condemn this action as strongly as we can. It is blackmail on Putin's part, which is deeply unfair, and which we of course find deeply reprehensible, the minister states.
In a post on Instagram, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S) also supports Ørsted's decision.
- Putin's decision to cut off gas to Denmark is pure blackmail and completely unacceptable.
- It does not make us waver in our support for Ukraine. On the contrary, it only emphasizes that we in Denmark and Europe must become completely independent of Russian gas as soon as possible, writes Mette Frederiksen on Instagram.
/ritzau/
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